Countdown to 2020: Best Cleveland Browns player to wear No. 6

Who is the best player to wear No. 6 for the Cleveland Browns?

The countdown to the 2020 NFL season is upon us. With 6 days remaining until the Browns season opener, we continue the countdown by celebrating the best Cleveland Browns player to wear number 6: Baker Mayfield.

Baker Mayfield was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the first overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft, but he truly arrived with 1:42 remaining in the first half in the third game of the season. Mayfield took over for an injured Tyrod Taylor with the Browns facing a 14-0 deficit. The rookie was able to lead the team down the field for a field goal to close out the first half. In the second half, Mayfield led the Browns to their first win in 19 games, and Browns fans everywhere rejoiced; Dilly Dilly!

Mayfield went on to have a rookie season for the record books. In 13 starts, he threw for a rookie record 27 touchdowns. In the process, Mayfield led the Browns to six wins, including winning five of the final eight games despite a head coaching change halfway through the season. He was also named the Pepsi Rookie of the Week seven times during the 2018 season.

The 2019 season, despite the addition of the talent, was one of regression. The team did not pick up where they left off in the previous season. Mayfield’s regression was the most documented on the team. His 21 interceptions were the second-highest total in the NFL for the 2019 season. However, it should be noted than his 22 touchdowns through the air tied him with Bernie Kosar, Kosar’s career-high, for the 10th most in a single season in franchise history.

In spite of his sophomore slump, Mayfield has managed to steady the quarterback position. He started all 16 games in 2019 which is something that a Browns quarterback had not pulled off since Tim Couch in 2001. Currently, Mayfield has started 29 straight games at quarterback, a feat that has not been accomplished since the Browns came back into the league in 1999.

In the grand scheme of things, Mayfield is statistically off to the best start of any quarterback in franchise history. After only two seasons, Mayfield has thrown for the eighth-most touchdowns in team history with 49. If he only tops his disappointing 2019 touchdown total by one touchdown this upcoming season, he would be in fifth place in franchise history. Mayfield already has the eighth-most completions (627), and ninth-most passing yards (7,552) in Browns’ history.

However, the ultimate measuring stick for quarterbacks is wins and championships. At this point in his career, Mayfield has yet to lead the Browns to a winning record or a playoff berth. If he is unable to accomplish either of those feats in 2020, it is highly likely that the Browns will decline his fifth-year option. While he has all the tools and the pieces around him to be successful, it will be up to the third-year signal-caller to make the most of his situation.

In only two seasons, Baker Mayfield has proved he is the best player to wear number 6 for the Cleveland Browns.

Honorable mention: Brian Hoyer.